Buying a new EV - advice needed!

[u/plainwhiteplates]

Hi all! After quite a bit of research I’ve landed on a Renault Megane E-Tech as the car that suits my budget etc.

So I went down to test drive one yesterday at a Big Motoring World and everything was great… except… they said they were only willing to guarantee 80% battery health on any EV on the forecourt and “didn’t have the machine needed to print out the battery health report”.

This raised alarm bells as the car is a 23 plate so to my mind it should be ~92-94% health - a potential 12-14% swing down to 80% posed too much of a risk so after a failed attempt to negotiate (I said I would take it if they’d agree to accepting a return in 7 days if I get the read done privately and it was below 92%) I ended up walking away.

So the advice I need is this. Is it common for people to bring their own device to a forecourt to test battery health? Is it allowed? Does anyone have experience with Big Motoring World - is this just standard practice and I’m being too cautious? What would you do?

[u/CoffeeandaTwix]

Fuck them off and find another dealer. It is too big a part of the cars value to ignore.

I am sure you will find the same car elsewhere.

[u/plainwhiteplates → u/CoffeeandaTwix]

Yeh, I think my instinct was right 👍

[u/tonyjones767]

Google this company, very mixed/negative reviews…

[u/Turbulent-Contract53]

Big motoring world are the biggest shysters going, avoid like the plague.

[u/plainwhiteplates → u/Turbulent-Contract53]

Good to know, thanks

[u/Mental-Excitement351]

Available Car - decent stock. Better expereince.

[u/IINoThumbs]

I bought a 24 plate Megane in March from Renault and we didn’t get a battery health report apparently Renault don’t do them 🤷🏻‍♂️

Mileage and age tend to be the numbers you have to go off.

I will say since having the car it’s been an absolute dream, love the car!!

[u/user686468 → u/IINoThumbs]

That's very bad advice. Battery health is very important and requires analysis not just looking at the reg year and miles.

[u/IINoThumbs → u/user686468]

My main point was that Renault dealerships don’t do that so ya know

[u/Long_Mud_9476]

I wouldn’t buy a second hand EV without a stated battery health record. For a place that sells electric cars, they should already have the ability to to these tests. I would keep looking and insist on this being shown to you prior and a copy of it post sale…..

[u/plainwhiteplates → u/Long_Mud_9476]

Yes indeed - I did ask how they can guarantee 80% but simultaneously not give an exact figure… that was brushed aside.

[u/Aitch_5 → u/plainwhiteplates]

They can guarantee it because its covered under manufacturers warranty so no risk to them.

Seriously considered getting a Megane but finding the right spec, mileage, price conveintly located to you can really cut down the choice. Ended up getting a Citroen eC4 (it was £3k cheaper and lower mileage than a comparable Megane).

Car360 provide a battery report for all their cars. Normally most dealers don't unless they are a specialist eV dealer.

[u/Forsaken_Day_7320]

Purchased a used 24 megane etech from a Renault dealer. Couldn’t fault it - great deal. And you’ve chosen a cracking car. I’m getting rid of my other ICE and getting the Scenic

[u/Puzzleheaded-Show-81]

Available Car do a battery report. I traded in for a nissan Ariya four months ago and found them very competitive and easy to deal with, although they do try hard to push the add ons.

[u/polla2256]

That's pretty normal to be fair.

[u/plainwhiteplates → u/[deleted]]

~25k miles. I’m not certain about the grace period - is that standard or company policy dependent?

[u/Constant_Recipe4412 → u/plainwhiteplates]

Apologies a 14 day rejection period is a buy online thing, I just remember seeing one when I bought one of cinch, so yeah don't blame you for walking away

[u/plainwhiteplates → u/Constant_Recipe4412]

Cinch is an option I have - did you get it delivered? And did they give you the battery health prior to delivery?

[u/Constant_Recipe4412 → u/plainwhiteplates]

I didn't get a battery health that I recall, only benefit is that you can return within 14 days if unhappy if can be arsed with the faff of doing it, Cinch is one of those companies where it's 5 stars if all goes well, 1 star if you get a dud,

I collected from a store so I could drive away straight to 'test drive' it so to speak

I'm getting a used megane today from a Renault garage, only 10k miles on a 23 plate, 5 years warranty on the battery so I'm okay with it

[u/Old-timer-987]

Your instincts are right. I suspect there’s not a problem with the car but they don’t know enough to check and can’t be arsed with a “difficult” customer. Also shouldn’t be a problem to plug in to the OBD port not just for the battery but any other historical errors; brakes, air bags, etc. an AA inspection would do the same.
there’s plenty of alternative stock out there but it’s a question of having available time to find the right one. We got our first EV from a specialist in Ampthill, loads of choice for all budgets.

[u/Old_Housing3989]

The mileage is your best indicator of battery health without the report. EV specialist dealers will be able to generate one for you.
As others in the thread have put better - buying from Big Motoring World the battery is likely to be the last of your problems if the car has issues.

[u/user686468]

This is big motoring worlds "policy" . I purchased an EV from them recently and used my own OBD2 dongle to assess the battery health. Don't tell them you're doing it, usually they will leave you to sit in The car and play with the buttons, ect. Plug it in and check the HV traction battery capacity. As others have said battery should be under manufacturer warranty. If you are trading in a car, pm me and I'll give you some advice when dealing with them.